"We'll pick up debts, because there are one or two debts and we'll have money in our coffers to work with on a weekly, monthly, yearly basis."

Hearts used their official website to encourage supporters to fund the club using "official channels".

A statement said: "Heart of Midlothian FC today urged fans keen to help the club financially to do so through official channels.

"The Tynecastle outfit has been overwhelmed by the supporters' response following last week's call-to-arms in the wake of HMRC's Petition to wind up the club for an outstanding tax bill of £449,000.

"The Gorgie faithful were urged to buy tickets for upcoming home games against St Mirren, Celtic and Aberdeen, while the 2012 Share Issue
also offered another avenue to get involved in urgently raising much-needed funds.

"A number of other organisations have recently been set up with the aim of persuading Jambos to part with their cash in a bid to help Hearts but the club would like to urge fans to act with caution before going down that route."

A Hearts spokesperson added: "There are now 10 organisations actively involved in seeking funds from fans.

"We have dealt with some of these groups before but others have only recently been created and the club has no direct relationship with them.

"For that reason, we would urged supporters to please think twice
before parting with their hard-earned money. We would reiterate that the current Share Offer, the recently set up Donation Line - 0131 200 7280 - and buying tickets for upcoming matches at Tynecastle are the best ways to guarantee that the money handed over will go towards club activities."

HMRC would not answer specific questions on the Hearts case.

An HMRC spokesperson said: "HMRC does not initiate winding up of football clubs or any other business lightly. "However we will not hesitate to do so when that is the right way to protect the country's tax revenues and other creditors from those who trade whilst insolvent and run up debts that they simply cannot pay.

"It is only fair that all football clubs pay the tax that is due.

"Tax deducted from the wages of players and support staff, such as ground keepers, physiotherapists and receptionists must be paid over to HMRC - that is the law and there is no excuse for treating tax money as working capital."